> Are there any restrictions when reproducing, licensing and distributing a
new custom File System Driver in object code(binary) form to potential
customers?
Looks like this depends on what other’s code you used there. If none except the code shipped with the DDK or IFS Kit - then no
restrictions from MS.
Who would own the copyright to the Custom File System Driver myself or
Microsoft?
Yours.
Would I own all the legal rights to the Custom File System Driver?
Yes, if you have not use the other’s code there.
Do I require a special licence from Microsoft for an individual Custom File
System Driver, before it can be Distributed? if so, how much would each
licence cost?
Thankfully, no.
MS only requires (not legally, only technically) digital signature for PnP hardware drivers, but filesystems seem to be free from
it.
Would I be required to obtain a valid digital signature from Microsoft,
before I can distribute an unlimited number of copies of the Custom File
System Driver as a stand alone product? if so, how much would a digital
signature cost?
WHQL digital signatures require (IIRC) about USD 2000, and passing of all WHQL tests (mainly PnP and Power related) for this kind of
hardware driver.
IIRC there is no WHQL on FSDs for now, but, if it will appear, it will require some money + your FSD binary being tested by some
publicly distributed test suite.
Anyway you can legally distribute the unsigned driver, as nVidia and Asus (who maked the video cards on nVidia chips) do sometimes.
It will just bother users.
Max